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Ms Apolline Kohen Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Via email: Community.Affairs.Sen@aph.gov.au
Dear Ms Kohen
Thank you for your letter of 15 September 2023, regarding the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs (the Committee) inquiry into the Disability Services and Inclusion Bill 2023 [Provisions] and Disability Services and Inclusion (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023.
I can confirm the Department of Social Services, as the Social Services Portfolio lead consulted with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on the development of the Bill.
The NDIA acknowledges disability supports and services have changed significantly since the implementation of the Disability Services Act 1986, and supports the need for a modern legislative framework for the funding and regulation of programs targeted for the benefit of people with disability, their families and carers. The NDIA welcomes the opportunity to work with the Committee as its inquiry proceeds.
The National Standards for Disability Services, which will be remade under the bill, will result in benefit to consistent service standards and codes of conduct for providers (including National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers) who are delivering supports to people with a disability. Enhanced delivery of mainstream services may also lead to improved outcomes for NDIS participants as well as improved Scheme sustainability.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this inquiry. I look forward to the Committee’s recommendations.
Yours sincerely
Rebecca Falkingham Chief Executive Officer National Disability Insurance Agency
17 October 2023